Authorities laid out part of the record haul of antiquities at the National Roman Museum. Photo / AP
Authorities unveiled a record haul of rare antiquities illegally looted from Italy and discovered during raids on Swiss warehouses belonging to a Sicilian former art dealer.
Police estimated the value of the 5361 vases, kraters, bronze statues and frescoes at about 50 million ($76.8 million). The works, from 8BC to
AD3, may go on public display before being returned to museums in southern Italy, from where they originated.
"This is by a long shot the biggest recovery in history in terms of the quantity and quality of the archaeological treasures," said Carabinieri General Mariano Mossa. Art dealer Gianfranco Becchina was accused of being part of an antiquities trafficking network. He was freed after the statute of limitations expired on the charges.
